Close Topic Options

Educational Equity

A thread for discussion...

Should education be free to all or should it be earned?

Equity Educational

Do you mean earned as in paid for or earned as in do well in lower grades to earn the right to go to college?

I think education to a certain level should be free and available for all. I do not think it acceptable that a young children be denied the opportunity to learn because their parents are poor or because the children themselves are not motivated to excel.

College, however, I think should be earned. I don't think this is the same as paid for though. In the US, anyone who can afford it, can find a college some place that will accept them for matriculation. I think this has lessoned the overall value of a college education in the US. Now, people with college educations often aren't qualified for anything special as a result of the degree. Many secretaries for example have college degrees. To me that is a waste of someones money. There was a time, when a college degree pretty much guaranteed you an opportunity to get a good job, management for example. You were considered the cream of the crop. Now, everyone has one and you must get a graduate degree or some other certification for this same benefit.

Why should someone pay (usually the parents or taxpayer) thousands of dollars for a college degree so that the recipient of the college degree can then become a secretary or a carpenter or something. Now, nothing wrong with those career choices, but they don't require the college degree in order for success within them. That is my point. In the US, most colleges are at least $12,000 per year (at least where I live) and really good ones in the neighborhood of $30,000 per year. My ex-husband's son goes to a college that costs $30,000 per year.

I think if it had to be earned, fewer would go. Just those who really were going to benefit careerwise, for example and just the top students. Then there would be more competition between schools to get these students, driving down the tuition costs. I think it is a matter of supply and demand. I don't think it needs to cost $30,000 (including room & board) per year to educate someone at the college level. It costs about 1/9 of that to educate someone at the high school level.

I don't expect this to be the popular view, but it is how I see things.

Edited: tenaheff on 6th Mar, 2004 - 12:38pm

Educational Equity UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

I think that in order to accomplish what you talked about tena, the quality of pre-college education in the US would need to improve drastically. Otherwise, what would happen is that most of our universities would be primarily composed of international students, because of the higher level of education in those countries. I understand your point of view, and agree with it in principle, but in reality, I dont think it would work. The reason why it is so easy now to get into college is because of the quality of international students that have driven American students out of the premier colleges. This left the need for these local students to be able to attend a college, thus bringing up the Junior Colleges and less competitive universities. I believe that if we can get our elementary, junior high and high school students better prepared, they can then compete for the prime universities and then we can look into making college admission a bit more restrictive.

Equity Educational

Well, Malexander, we just don't agree then. I don't believe you should lower standards to ensure US students are admitted. There is no reason our kids can't compete except that they haven't been forced to. I don't accept that our schools are so bad that no one would get in to college unless we keep standards low. That isn't true. It is true that not everyone who wanted to go to college could go right out of high school, but if they really want to attend and they haven't acquired the skills and education they need by the time they graduate, then they can attend a Junior College or a prep school and bring their skills up to where it should be, then apply to the 4 year schools.

In addition, as I already stated, I see no sense in spending $60,000 or more on a college education so the person can then become a secretary or a truck driver.

Equity Educational

But why a person who went to college will end up as a truck driver or a secretary? so bad is the economy there right now?.

I personally think that Primary and High School should be compulsory and free for everybody. Regards to college, the person should earn it: how? simply, if they can afford it, great they go if they are too poor but their grades are remarkable great then they should be able to get a scholarship and allow to study in the university because they deserve it and money should be an issue for someone who really wants to study and progress.
In Argentina, the University of Buenos Aires is public and free. It is also the best university in the country because they have the best teachers and professionals in all fields. What it happens is that many students take too long to graduate and they use the resources that someone else could be well using without wasting too much time, but then again, most of these students work and study at the same time.

Educational Equity

I know several people who went to college and then ended up with jobs that had nothing to do with a college education such as oil delivery man or secretary. In the US, the vast majority from middle class "america" go to college. It is just considered the next step. So, in the US, if you get a general education or even business degree bachelor's then it really doesn't qualify you for anything special in the work force. It is a matter of supply and demand. So many people in the US have such 4 year degrees that they don't set the holder apart when looking for a job.

So, I am not suggesting college is a bad thing, but I think it should be attended by those who have decided on what career they want to pursue and then by pursuing a degree that qualifies them uniquely for that career. For example, if you want to be a teacher, get a teaching degree. If you want to be an accountant, get an accounting degree. If you dont know what you want to do, I suggest you take a year or two off from school, go to work, decide what you want to do; then if that particular career path requires a degree, pursue that degree. However, if you have decided you want to be a car salesmen for example, why go to college first.

I understand the value of education for education's sake, but in the US, with the high cost of college, I don't think going to a 4 year university just for educations sake makes sense. You don't have to stop learning just because you stop going to formal classes.

Educational Equity

I generally agree with you, tena, except for the fact that even the lower-paying jobs such as secretary, almost all government jobs, even some "menial" jobs require some type of college degree now.

Fortunately, there are more and more alternatives showing up. Here in Michigan, there are several types of schools designed for working adults, offering general Liberal Arts degrees up through advanced engineering. They may not have the prestige of UofM or MSU, but they sure help people get better jobs.

Educational Equity Sciences Education Art Writing & UFO

There's no such thing as free - someone pays for it.

I believe no education should be compulsory and no education should be paid for except voluntarily (by the parent or student with voluntary help from family/private organizations where necessary).

Our children's development is too important to surrender in any degree.

Private education is a powerful key in bringing greatness to a nation.

Dubhdara.